Abstract: A filter assembly for a smoke evacuation unit. A sensor is positioned within a housing of the filter assembly. The sensor may be a capacitive sensor disposed near one or more inlet ports. A controller may operate a vacuum source based on the sensor detecting operation of a powered surgical device, for example, though changes in electric field detected through the inlet ports. The filter assembly may include a shielding cover providing an electromagnetic barrier. The shielding cover may be in electrical communication with a contact pad configured to engage a terminal of the smoke evacuation unit. The contact pad may be disposed within a recess on a side of the housing. Electrical contact between the contact pad and the terminal may ground the shielding cover, and the controller may authenticate the filter assembly based thereon. A liquid collection compartment may be disposed beneath a filter compartment within the housing.

Abstract: A waste collection cart for collecting waste material. A waste container and a vacuum source are supported on a chassis. A manifold receiver is disposed on a front of the waste collection cart, and a handle is disposed on the rear of the waste collection cart. A docking control panel is also disposed on the rear of the waste collection cart. The docking control panel is configured to receive a user input with the waste collection cart assembly coupled to a docking station so as to cause the docking station to offload the waste material from the waste container. The docking control panel may be spaced apart from a grasping section of the handle, and/or disposed at an oblique angle such that it is facing upwardly away from a floor surface. A suction control panel may be disposed on the front of the waste collection cart.

Abstract: A medical waste collection system for collecting waste material. A level sensor is coupled to at least one waste container to generate a signal indicating a fluid level of waste material therein. A controller is configured to operate a light source assembly based on the signal such that a portion of the interior of the waste container disposed beneath the fluid level of the waste material is illuminated. A cover assembly may include a rack and pinion and/or polarizing segments to selectively limit visibility of portions of the waste container. The controller may initiate an unclogging protocol to create a pressure differential between an upper waste container and a lower waste container based on a determination that a transfer valve between the waste containers may be clogged. The determination may be based on a rate of change of the fluid level as measured by the level sensor(s).

Abstract: A medical waste collection system includes a medical waste collection device for providing suction at a surgical site, and a manifold releasably couplable to the medical waste collection device. The manifold defines a pathway through which the medical waste collection device is configured to provide suction to the surgical site. The medical waste collection device is configured to control activation of suction based on a proper manifold being present.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a surgical waste collection manifold with a volume collected datum and a rover type to ensure compatibility with a surgical waste collection rover is provided. The method includes obtaining a second manifold having a second housing defining a surface, the housing defining a second manifold volume and a second outlet opening in fluid communication with the second manifold volume, and coupling a second circuit to the surface of the second manifold, comprising a second memory device including a third memory bank and a fourth memory bank, the third memory bank including a fifth memory field and the fourth memory bank including a sixth memory field. The method may further include programming the fifth memory field with an encrypted first hash digest based on the rover type and programming the sixth memory field with an encrypted second hash digest based on the volume collected datum.

Abstract: A medical waste collection system includes a medical waste collection device for providing suction at a surgical site, and a manifold releasably couplable to the medical waste collection device. The manifold defines a pathway through which the medical waste collection device is configured to provide suction to the surgical site. The medical waste collection device is configured to control activation of suction based on a proper manifold being present.

Abstract: A method of method of manufacturing a surgical waste collection manifold with a volume collected datum and a rover type to ensure compatibility with a surgical waste collection rover is provided. The surgical waste collection rover including a vacuum pump and a receiver defining an opening. The method includes obtaining a second manifold. The second manifold having a second housing defining a surface, the housing defining a second manifold volume and a second outlet opening in fluid communication with the second manifold volume. The method may further include coupling a second circuit to the surface of the second manifold, the second circuit comprising a second memory device including a third memory bank and a fourth memory bank, the third memory bank including a fifth memory field and the fourth memory bank including a sixth memory field.

Abstract: A medical waste collection system includes a medical waste collection device for providing suction at a surgical site, and a manifold releasably couplable to the medical waste collection device. The manifold defines a pathway through which the medical waste collection device is configured to provide suction to the surgical site. The medical waste collection device is configured to control activation of suction based on a proper manifold being present.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of locating and/or counting one or more surgical articles, wherein the surgical article may comprise a surgical sponge comprising a counting element and/or detecting element. The counting element and/or detecting element may comprise an RFID tag encapsulated in a housing or pouch that is coupled to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may further comprise unique identification and/or location information relative to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may be coupled to the sponge at an attachment position and/or oriented on the surgical sponge relative to a defined set of reference lines. The attachment position and/or orientation of the RFID tag on the surgical sponge may be configured to improve the accuracy of scanning the RFID tag. A plurality of surgical articles (i.e. surgical sponges) comprising RFID tags may be packaged or bundled via a strap or within a container.

Abstract: A waste collection cart assembly for collecting waste material from a suction line during a medical procedure. The waste collection cart assembly includes a housing having a top portion defining a work surface. A waste container is coupled to the housing for collecting the waste material from the suction line. A manifold receiver defining an opening is coupled to the waste container. A manifold having a specimen trap is received within the opening of the manifold receiver. A vacuum source is coupled to the waste container. The vacuum source provides a vacuum on the waste container to draw the waste material from the suction line through the manifold and into the waste container. The specimen trap collects a specimen from the waste material while being drawn into the waste container. The specimen may be transferred to a specimen container disposed on the work surface.

Abstract: A method of method of manufacturing a surgical waste collection manifold with a volume collected datum and a rover type to ensure compatibility with a surgical waste collection rover is provided. The surgical waste collection rover including a vacuum pump and a receiver defining an opening. The method includes obtaining a second manifold. The second manifold having a second housing defining a surface, the housing defining a second manifold volume and a second outlet opening in fluid communication with the second manifold volume. The method may further include coupling a second circuit to the surface of the second manifold, the second circuit comprising a second memory device including a third memory bank and a fourth memory bank, the third memory bank including a fifth memory field and the fourth memory bank including a sixth memory field.

Abstract: A waste collection unit for collecting waste material. A reservoir is supported on a portable cart for storing a liquid on the portable cart when positioned away from a docking station. A sprinkler may be coupled to the waste container and in fluid communication with the reservoir. The sprinkler is configured to direct the liquid from the reservoir towards the waste container. The reservoir is configured to receive additional liquid from the docking station to urge the liquid from the reservoir towards the sprinkler. A prefill pump may be supported on the portable cart and in fluid communication with the waste container and operable to convey the liquid from the reservoir to the waste container. A controller may be in electronic communication with a valve assembly to control flow of the liquid from the docking station into at least one of the reservoir and a second waste container.

Abstract: A waste collection unit for collecting waste material. First and second waste containers are supported on a portable cart. A control panel is configured to receive one or more inputs of selectively set vacuum levels in the first and/or second waste containers. A control system controls operation of vacuum regulators based on the input(s) to regulate levels of vacuums being drawn in each of the waste containers. Pressure sensors in communication with the control system may be positioned to monitor pressure in the waste containers. A back up port support on the portable cart may be provided to receive a vacuum line for coupling a vacuum manifold to a remote vacuum source not located on the portable cart. Container lamps may be coupled to the first and/or second waste containers and configured to illuminate the waste material within the waste containers to be viewed through transparent windows.

Abstract: Apparatus and method of locating and/or counting one or more surgical articles, wherein the surgical article may comprise a surgical sponge comprising a counting element and/or detecting element. The counting element and/or detecting element may comprise an RFID tag encapsulated in a housing or pouch that is coupled to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may further comprise unique identification and/or location information relative to the surgical sponge. The RFID tag may be coupled to the sponge at an attachment position and/or oriented on the surgical sponge relative to a defined set of reference lines. The attachment position and/or orientation of the RFID tag on the surgical sponge may be configured to improve the accuracy of scanning the RFID tag. A plurality of surgical articles (i.e. surgical sponges) comprising RFID tags may be packaged or bundled via a strap or within a container.

Abstract: A waste collection unit for collecting waste material. First and second waste containers are supported on a portable cart. A control panel is configured to receive one or more inputs of selectively set vacuum levels in the first and/or second waste containers. A control system controls operation of vacuum regulators based on the input(s) to regulate levels of vacuums being drawn in each of the waste containers. Pressure sensors in communication with the control system may be positioned to monitor pressure in the waste containers. A back up port support on the portable cart may be provided to receive a vacuum line for coupling a vacuum manifold to a remote vacuum source not located on the portable cart. Container lamps may be coupled to the first and/or second waste containers and configured to illuminate the waste material within the waste containers to be viewed through transparent windows.

Abstract: A waste collection and disposal system for use in health care facilities is provided. The system includes a mobile waste collection unit for moving between use areas in the health care facility to collect waste material generated during medical procedures including body fluids, body tissues, saline, etc. The waste collection unit includes stacked upper and lower waste containers for receiving the waste material. During use, the upper waste container can be emptied into the lower waste container for temporary storage. In addition, different vacuum levels can be provided in the waste containers during complex procedures. Once a user desires to empty the waste collection unit, the waste collection unit is wheeled to a docking station. At the docking station, the waste material is off-loaded to a waste drain and the waste collection unit is cleaned and rinsed for further use.